By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com When Travis Mitchell attended Morgan State University in 1988, his initial intention was to earn a political science degree. He also wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps of playing college basketball. He thought he’d either graduate and continue playing basketball or take up coaching. Then came his […]
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Last living suspect in 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur indicted on murder charge
By RIO YAMAT and KEN RITTER, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — A man who prosecutors say orchestrated the 1996 drive-by shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur was arrested and charged with murder Friday in a long-awaited breakthrough in one of hip-hop’s most enduring mysteries. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 60, has long been known to investigators as one […]
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Artscape returns to Baltimore after three-year hiatus
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Artscape, one of the largest free outdoor arts festivals, returned to Baltimore. Artscape took place Sept. 22 through Sept. 24 at the 1300 to 1800 blocks of Charles Street and Mount Royal Avenue. Despite Tropical Storm Ophelia […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
H Street Festivals showcases fashion, food and fun
The H Street Festival in Northeast D.C. offered various attractions on Sept. 16, including popular brands and bands spanning across 11 blocks. Guests had the opportunity to purchase clothing items, candles and other trinkets from vendors while local performers like Strangers that Clique and Joy of Motion graced the stage.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathon Heyward debuts as first Black, youngest music director for Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
By Shaela FosterSpecial to the AFROCredit: Photos by Stephen Hopkins The creative direction of Jonathon Heyward, the first Black and youngest music director in the history of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), was on full display Sept. 23. On day two of the three day celebration, held from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24., participants were […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Black author Deesha Philyaw has a 7-figure deal for her next two books
By Hillel Italie AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Prize-winning fiction writer Deesha Philyaw, who struggled to find a publisher for what became her acclaimed debut “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” has a 7-figure deal for her next two books. Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced recently that it had signed […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Usher to headline the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas
By Jonathan Landrum Jr.AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sept. 24 that Usher would lead the halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11. The music […]
Posted inHBCU
Listen to the Yard: How marching bands shape HBCU culture
By Aria BrentAFRO Staff Writerabrent@afro.com A prime component of Black culture is music. It defines eras, tells stories and creates soundtracks for our lives. It is only right, then, that historically Black colleges and universities have a playlist of their own, driven by the sounds of the campus marching band. Maryland Public Television highlighted the […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Phoenix Awards honors trailblazers in Black politics and culture
By Amber D. Dodd Special to the AFRO adodd@afro.com President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver remarks as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference’s pinnacle event On Sept. 23, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosted their 52nd annual Phoenix Awards ceremony at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., to […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO PRESS ROOM: Artscape 2023 to resume festivities on Sept. 24
(September 23, 2023) – The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA), after consulting with the Mayor’s Office, the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management and the Baltimore City Fire Department, has made the decision to resume Artscape on Sunday, September 24th, 2023. While rain is expected to continue throughout the day Sunday, winds […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Jonathon Heyward set to debut as first Black music director of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 23
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Jonathon Heyward will make history as the first Black and youngest person to ever lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra next month. Heyward will step into the role of BSO music director on Sep. 23 at the 2023 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Gala. To celebrate Heyward’s five-year tenure and the […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Day two of Artscape cancelled due to Tropical Storm Ophelia
By Special Press Release The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts has cancelled activities on Sept. 23 after a state of emergency was declared due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. PRESS RELEASE: After careful consideration and based on direction from the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management and the Baltimore City Fire Department, we have […]